Controller, Accounting, & Financial Operations

Firstbooks.Com, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental

Life insurance

Paid vacation

12 holidays

401(k) match

Parking stipend

Job summary

First Book is seeking a Controller, Accounting & Financial Operations to lead its accounting operations, ensure accurate financial reporting, and partner with leadership on budgets, forecasts, and strategic decision support. Reporting to the CFO, you will guide a team, strengthen controls, and drive scalable processes.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in accounting/finance, CPA, and strong experience with nonprofit accounting and audits. This role is hybrid with in-office days in Washington, DC.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressive accounting or finance experience including senior-level roles.
• Expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting including grants.
• Experience owning the financial close and audits.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Strong financial analysis including margins and cash flow.
• Experience automating financial processes.
• Experience supervising accounting staff.
• Ability to communicate results to non-financial stakeholders and Board.
• Inventory accounting or earned-revenue experience preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations: GL, AP, AR, fixed assets, inventory, revenue recognition.
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close; deliver statements and board reports per US GAAP.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans.
• Create financial and operating metrics; evaluate costs, pricing, margins.
• Strengthen internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Monitor compliance with financial, tax, regulatory requirements.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit; coordinate with external tax advisors.
• Oversee accounting systems; drive automation and scalable processes.
• Manage cash, banking relationships, cash forecasting, liquidity planning.
• Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team; foster accountability.
• Serve as trusted financial resource across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

U.S. GAAP

Nonprofit accounting

Financial analysis

Budgets & forecasts

Audits coordination

Internal controls

Team leadership

Stakeholder comms

Inventory accounting

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance

CPA license in good standing

MBA or MAcc preferred

Tools

Accounting systems

ERP software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

ABOUT FIRST BOOK

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers to quality education for children in need. Through innovative public–private partnerships and a national network of more than 600,000 educators, program leaders, and community organizations, First Book has distributed over 250 million books and educational resources to under-resourced communities. Our work spans e-commerce (First Book Marketplace), research and insights (First Book R&I), and tailored program development (First Book Accelerator), all designed to elevate the voices and needs of educators serving children in low-income communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Controller, Accounting & Financial Operations is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and scalability of First Book’s accounting and financial reporting functions. This role leads the day-to-day accounting operation and serves as a key financial partner to Finance and organizational leadership, ensuring that financial information supports sound operational and strategic decision-making.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller leads the accounting team and will move the function from reporting historical results to providing forward-looking financial insight and decision support.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory, and revenue recognition.


• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, delivering accurate and timely financial statements, management reporting, and Board-level reporting in compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit requirements.


• Partner with Finance leadership and business/program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans; lead variance analysis and translate results into actionable insights for management.


• Develop meaningful financial and operating metrics and evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, and the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.


• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls, including segregation of duties, approval processes, and reconciliations.


• Monitor compliance with financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements; identify financial and operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.


• Lead the annual financial statement audit and partner with external tax advisors on tax filings and required regulatory reporting.


• Oversee accounting and financial systems, ensuring data integrity and driving automation and scalable processes.


• Oversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.


• Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and financial stewardship.


• Serve as a trusted financial resource across the organization.


• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.


• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing required.


• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Accounting (MAcc) preferred.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of ten years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including a senior-level finance or accounting position, required; prior Controller and/or nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.


• Demonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.


• Proven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.


• Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.


• Exceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.


• Experience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.


• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing accounting staff.


• Ability to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.


• Experience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines preferred.


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $125,000 (non-negotiable).

All full-time employees are eligible for the following:

• Medical and dental insurance coverage.


• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.


• Paid vacation and sick leave.


• 12 paid holidays annually.


• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.


• Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

First Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.

ACCOMMODATIONS

First Book is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodations during the application or interview process should submit a written request to First Book's Human Resources department.

WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

• This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence at First Book’s Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.


• Relocation assistance is not provided.

EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, SPONSORSHIP, AND ACCURACY OF ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and must maintain valid work authorization throughout their employment.

First Book does not sponsor employment-based visas or participate in immigration programs that require employer-specific obligations, such as training plans, reporting requirements, or compliance filings.

Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information related to employment eligibility, work authorization status, or visa classification will disqualify a candidate from further consideration. If such misrepresentation is discovered after an offer has been extended, First Book reserves the right to withdraw the offer. If discovered after employment begins, it may result in immediate termination.

Candidates are required to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information regarding their work authorization status at the time of application and throughout the hiring process. Any change in work authorization status must be reported to First Book immediately.